WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. Arkansas WIC is a program within the Arkansas Department of Health. The main focus of WIC is educating families about proper nutrition for babies, young children, and expectant and new mothers.

WIC provides:

Supplemental foods high in nutrients needed for growth and development.

Nutrition education to improve diet and health habits.

Information, support, and encouragement for breastfeeding.

Referrals for other health services.

Pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children under age 5 may qualify if they live in Arkansas, have a nutritional need, and an income at or below WIC guidelines, or receive Medicaid, ARKids, TEA or SNAP (Food Stamps).

Information about WIC can be obtained from any local county health unit between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Who is Eligible and How to Apply

Who is Eligible?

Pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children under age five are eligible for WIC if they:

Meet Income Guidelines - WIC income guidelines are set at 185% of poverty and are revised each year. Applicant must provide proof of income. Examples are: current check stubs, W-2 forms, most current income tax return, proof of eligibility for Medicaid (including ARKids), TEA, SNAP (food stamps).

Have a Nutritional Need - Conditions such as anemia, certain medical disorders, weight (over- or under- weight, weight in relation to height, etc.) number and /or frequency of pregnancies are examples of the factors that are considered in a nutritional assessment. A nurse or other professional performs this assessment in the local health unit.

Live in Arkansas - Applicants must provide proof of residency. Examples of proof of residency can be a current utility, cable or phone bill, a current mortgage or rent receipt, proof of Arkansas Medicaid, TEA or SNAP (food stamps).

How to apply

WIC is available at all Local Health Units in Arkansas, satellite clinics and four WIC-only Clinics. You can apply for and receive WIC in any county in Arkansas. You must call to make an appointment. At your appointment, WIC staff will check to see if you are eligible.

What do I bring to a WIC appointment?

ID for yourself and each child

Proof you are an Arkansas resident

Proof of income

Bring any children you are applying for

If you have questions, or need more information about applying for WIC, please contact your local county health unit, or call the State WIC Office at 501-661-2473 or 1-800-462-0599, or e-mail.

State Plan of Operations

For a copy of the annual Arkansas WIC state plan of operations or to send comments, please e-mail wic.program@arkansas.gov

Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.